Baton Rouge LA vs St. Louis MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Baton Rouge +
St. Louis
43.1%
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
St. Louis
3.4%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 36.6 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 6.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 51.0% | 43.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 3.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 5.1% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
St. Louis
$58,527
St. Louis +
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $58,527 | St. Louis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 45.4% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
St. Louis
501
St. Louis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
St. Louis
2418
St. Louis +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 501 | St. Louis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 2418 | St. Louis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Baton Rouge +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Baton Rouge +
St. Louis
16.8%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 17.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.8% | Baton Rouge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Baton Rouge +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Baton Rouge +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Baton Rouge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Baton Rouge + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 24.0 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Baton Rouge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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